Racing toy

ABSTRACT

A racing toy including: a running body including, a driving mechanism for automatic running, and a running control section to enhance running ability of the running body and to reduce running ability of a competing running body; a signal storing section to store a plurality of running control signals regarding the running ability of the running body; and a selection control section to randomly select a running control signal from among the running control signals stored in the signal storing section, wherein the running control section enhances the running ability of the running body and/or reduces the running ability of the competing running body according to the running control signal selected by the selection control section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a racing toy.

2. Description of the Related Art

Racing toys in each of which a plurality of running bodies, two runningbodies for example, are competed with one another are known.

In general, in such racing toys, attack signals are transmitted, forexample, from a first running body to a second running body to stopand/or overturn the second running body which receives the attacksignals, so as to obstruct running of the second running body.Consequently, the first running body may win. (Refer to Patent Document1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. S54-79747 andPatent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 3791773, for example.)

However, in the racing toy described in the Patent Document 1, the firstrunning body, which is a user's running body, has the only one kind oftechnique to obstruct the second running body, which is a competitor'srunning body. The technique is to emit the only one kind of light from alight emitting device of the first running body toward a light receivingdevice of the second running body. That is, the only one kind of attackcan be made, and the attack is made with the user's own will.

In the racing toy described in the Patent Document 2 as well, the onlyone kind of attack can be made, and the attack is made with the user'sown will, by operating a shooting button or the like.

Thus, the racing toys described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 may make theplay therewith tedious and monotonous while being played for a longperiod of time, and may cause a user thereof to feel short of fun andexcitement.

The present invention is made to solve the problems described above. Anobject of the present invention is to provide a racing toy which makesup the shortage of fun and excitement and which can be enjoyed more fora long time by a user thereof without boredom compared with aconventional racing toy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is a racing toy including: a runningbody including, a driving mechanism for automatic running, and a runningcontrol section to enhance running ability of the running body and toreduce running ability of a competing running body; a signal storingsection to store a plurality of running control signals regarding therunning ability of the running body; and a selection control section torandomly select a running control signal from among the running controlsignals stored in the signal storing section, wherein the runningcontrol section enhances the running ability of the running body and/orreduces the running ability of the competing running body according tothe running control signal selected by the selection control section.

Preferably, the racing toy further includes: a display section todisplay a function of the running control signal selected by theselection control section; and a display control section to control thedisplay section to display the function of the running control signalselected by the selection control section.

Preferably, the racing toy includes a plurality of the display sections,the display sections including: a plurality of display windows,respectively, each of which displays a function of each of the runningcontrol signals; and a plurality of light sources, respectively, each ofwhich emits light, wherein the display windows correspond to the lightsources, respectively, so that the light emitted from each of the lightsources passes through each of the corresponding display windows, andthe display control section controls the light sources to emit the lightin such a manner that when the selection control section starts toselect the running control signal, the light sources sequentially emitthe light, and after a predetermined period of time elapses, only thelight source emits the light, the light source which corresponds to thedisplay window displaying the function of the selected running controlsignal.

Preferably, the racing toy includes: a plurality of the running bodiesincluding a first running body and a second running body, wherein thefirst running body includes, an obstructing signal transmitting sectionto transmit an obstructing signal at least forward and/or backward byradio, the obstructing signal which obstructs the running ability of thesecond running body competing with the first running body, and thesecond running body includes, an obstructing signal receiving section toreceive the obstructing signal, and an obstruction control section tocontrol an obstructing operation of the driving mechanism of the secondrunning body according to the obstructing signal received at theobstructing signal receiving section.

Preferably, in the racing toy, the running control signals include anobstructing signal which obstructs the running ability of the competingrunning body.

Preferably, in the racing toy, the obstructing signal includes a signalwhich moves the competing running body backward.

Preferably, in the racing toy, the obstructing signal includes a signalwhich spins the competing running body.

Preferably, in the racing toy, the obstructing signal includes a signalwhich decelerates the competing running body.

Preferably, in the racing toy, the running control signals include asignal which accelerates the running body.

Preferably, in the racing toy, the running control signals include asignal which invalidates the obstructing signal transmitted from thecompeting running body.

Preferably, the racing toy further includes: a trigger providing sectionto provide the selection control section with a trigger to start toselect the running control signal.

Preferably, the racing toy further includes: a clock section to measurea lapse time from a start of the running ability of the running body,wherein the trigger providing section provides the selection controlsection with the trigger based on the lapse time measured by the clocksection.

Preferably, the racing toy further includes: a detecting section todetect arrival of the running body at a predetermined position, whereinthe trigger providing section provides the trigger based on the arrivalof the running body detected by the detecting section.

Preferably, the racing toy further includes: a controller to perform anoperation of the running body by using a radio signal, wherein theselection control section and the trigger providing section are disposedto the controller.

Preferably, in the racing toy, the selection control section and thetrigger providing section are disposed to the running body.

Preferably, the racing toy further includes: a course on which therunning body runs, wherein the selection control section and the triggerproviding section are disposed to a side of a running path of the courseor to a structure disposed to the course.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood by the detaileddescription below and the accompanying drawings. However, these are notintended to limit the present invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a racing toy according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a running body;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of therunning body;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the running body;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a steering mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the steering mechanism;

FIG. 7 shows a part of a coil electrification circuit;

FIG. 8 shows directions in which obstructing signals and a barriersignal are transmitted, and shows a range in which the running body canreceive the obstructing signals;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a controller;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the controller;

FIG. 11A is an illustration for explaining a function of an obstructingsignal;

FIG. 11B is an illustration for explaining a function of an obstructingsignal;

FIG. 11C is an illustration for explaining a function of a power-upsignal;

FIG. 12A is an illustration for explaining a function of an obstructingsignal;

FIG. 12B is an illustration for explaining a function of a barriersignal; and

FIG. 13 is an illustration for explaining selection of a running controlsignal according to a modification of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with referenceto the accompanying drawings. It is noted that, although variouslimitations which are technically preferred to carry out the presentinvention are given to the embodiments below, the scope of the inventionis not limited to the embodiments and the drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a racing toy 100 according to an embodimentof the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the racing toy 100 includes a plurality of automaticrunning bodies 1 and 2 and a plurality of controllers 3 and 4, in whichthe number of running bodies is equal to the number of controllers. Inthe embodiment, two running bodies and two controllers are provided.With the racing toy 100, each of two users competing with each otherholds a controller and operates a running body to compete for speed on acourse. The number of running bodies is not limited. In the embodiment,two running bodies 1 and 2 are included in the racing toy 100.

<Running Body>

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the running body 1, FIG. 3 is aperspective view showing an internal structure of the running body 1,and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the runningbody 1.

The running bodies 1 and 2 are different only in the design of thesurface of a body thereof, and other configurations of the runningbodies 1 and 2 including a configuration related to driving are thesame. Thus, the running body 1 is hereinafter described in detail as arepresentative of the running bodies 1 and 2. Components of the runningbody 2 are described by using the same reference numerals as thenumerals of the components of the running body 1.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the running body 1 includes a body 10 and achassis 11.

The body 10 is made of a resin material such as plastic, and is modeledon a racing car with a driver sitting therein. The body 10 is removablyattached to the chassis 11.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the chassis 11 includes: a driving mechanism12 allowing the running body 1 to automatically run; a forward lightemitting section 13 emitting an infrared ray forward from the runningbody 1, namely in the running direction (forward direction) of therunning body 1; a backward light emitting section 14 emitting aninfrared ray backward from the running body 1, namely, in the oppositedirection (backward direction) to the running direction of the runningbody 1; a light receiving section 15 receiving an infrared ray comingfrom outside; and a control section 16.

As shown in FIG. 4, the driving mechanism 12 includes a battery 12 a asa driving power supply, a motor 12 b connected to the battery 12 a, atransmitting mechanism 12 d mechanically connecting an output shaft ofthe motor 12 b to front wheels 12 c so as to transmit rotation movementof the output shaft of the motor 12 b to supporting shaft for the frontwheels 12 c, and a steering mechanism 12 e for steering the front wheels12 c.

(Battery, Motor, and Transmitting Mechanism)

The battery 12 a is a driving power supply of the running body 1, andmay be a dry battery or a rechargeable battery.

The motor 12 b is a motor connected to the battery 12 a and capable offorward and reverse rotations.

The transmitting mechanism 12 d includes a gear provided on the outputshaft of the motor 12 b, a gear provided on the supporting shaftsupporting the front wheels 12 c, and one or a plurality of gears meshedwith both of the gear provided on the output shaft of the motor 12 b andthe gear provided on the supporting shaft supporting the front wheels 12c.

(Steering Mechanism)

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the steering mechanism 12 e, FIG. 6 is aplan view of the steering mechanism 12 e, and FIG. 7 shows a part of acoil electrification circuit.

As shown in FIG. 5, the steering mechanism 12 e includes right and leftknuckle arms (rotating bodies) 21 respectively provided with the rightand left front wheels 12 c, and a tie rod (coupling body) 22 mutuallycoupling the right and left knuckle arms 21.

The knuckle arms 21 are provided with front wheel shafts (supportingshaft) 21 a, respectively. The front wheels 12 c are set to the frontwheel shafts 21 a, respectively, in such a manner that the front wheels12 c can spin. The right and left knuckle arms 21 are supported by thechassis 11 to be rotatable around right and left shafts 21 b,respectively, as shown in FIG. 6. The upper end portion and the lowerend portion of each of the right and left shafts 21 b are fitted in thechassis 11. Free end portions of the knuckle arms 21 and end portions ofthe tie rod 22 make pairs, respectively, so as to be capable of rotatingat positions of shafts 21 c, respectively, as shown in FIG. 6. As aresult, when the tie rod 22 swings from side to side, the right and leftknuckle arms 21 rotate around the shafts 21 b, respectively, so as tochange directions of the right and left front wheels 12 c.

A permanent magnet (not shown) is provided at the neutral position ofthe tie rod 22. The permanent magnet acts to hold the tie rod 22 at aposition where the tie rod 22 does not lean toward either the right orthe left (neutral position) by magnetic attraction with a permanentmagnet 24 described below. It is noted that the tie rod 22 may be heldat the neutral position by means other than the permanent magnets. Thetie rod 22 may be held at the neutral position by a spring or the like.

The permanent magnet 24 is provided at the center of the tie rod 22. Thepermanent magnet 24 is formed in a disc shape and is provided such thatthe end surfaces thereof are arranged vertically. The permanent magnet24 is configured to have one end surface be the south pole and the otherend surface be the north pole. At the front of the tie rod 22, coils 26are provided side by side. Each of the coils 26 is a round air-core coilhaving no core. One of the end portions of each of the coils 26 facesone of the end surfaces of the permanent magnet 24 provided on the tierod 22. The reason for particularly using the disc shaped permanentmagnet and the round air-core coils is to achieve size and weightreduction of the entire toy. That is, the disc shaped permanent magnetand the round air core coils do not require or have a core.

As shown in FIG. 7, electrification of the coil electrification circuitis controlled by the control section 16. The coil electrificationcircuit is configured in such a manner that the right and left coils 26are electrified simultaneously, and when the right and left coils 26 areelectrified simultaneously, polarities of the end portions of the rightand left coils 26 are different from each other, the end portions whichface the end surface of the permanent magnet 24. Therefore, when theright and left coils 26 are electrified, magnetic attraction actsbetween one of the coils 26 and the permanent magnet 24 while magneticrepulsion acts between the other of the coils 26 and the permanentmagnet 24. As a result, the tie rod 22 swings. In this case, the swingdirection of the tie rod 22 can be changed by changing the direction ofthe current flowing in the coils 26 by the control section 16.

The right and left coils 26 may be configured so as to be selectivelyelectrified, whereby the tie rod 22 swings by the magnetic attraction orthe magnetic repulsion acting between the electrified coil 26 and thepermanent magnet 24.

The steering mechanism 12 e is not limited to the above structure, andmay be a mechanism which is a combination of a rack and a pinion, forexample.

(Light Emitting Sections and Light Receiving Section)

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the forward light emitting section 13 isarranged to transmit infrared signals by radio in the forward directionof the running body 1. The forward light emitting section 13 is composedof, for example, an infrared light emitting diode (LED).

The backward light emitting section 14 is arranged to transmit infraredsignals by radio in the backward direction of the running body 1. Thebackward light emitting section 14 is composed of, for example, aninfrared LED.

The light receiving section 15 receives infrared signals emitted fromthe forward light emitting section 13, the backward light emittingsection 14, and the controller 3.

Infrared rays emitted from the forward light emitting section 13 and thebackward light emitting section 14 serve as obstructing signals whichobstruct running of the running body 2 as a competing running body(second running body) running in front or behind the running body 1 as auser's own running body (first running body). Accordingly, the forwardlight emitting section 13 and the backward light emitting section 14function as first obstructing signal transmitting sections.

The light receiving section 15 receives obstructing signals transmittedfrom the forward light emitting section 13, the backward light emittingsection 14 of the running body 2, and the controllers 3 and 4.Accordingly, the light receiving section 15 functions as an obstructingsignal receiving section.

From the controller 3, the light receiving section 15 receivesinstruction signals, each of which instructs the running body 1 (firstrunning body) to transmit an obstructing signal to the running body 2(second running body). Accordingly, the light receiving section 15functions as an instruction signal receiving section.

The light receiving section 15 receives running operating signalsregarding running operations of the running body 1 transmitted from thecontroller 3. Accordingly, the light receiving section 15 functions as arunning operating signal receiving section.

The obstructing signals are signals among running control signals of therunning bodies 1 and 2. When the control section 16 of the running body2 receives an obstructing signal, the control section 16 thereofcontrols driving of the driving mechanism 12 thereof according to theobstructing signal received at the light receiving section 15 thereof.The obstructing signals are described in detail below.

(Control Section)

As shown in FIG. 4, the control section 16 includes a CPU, a ROM, and aRAM, which are publically known.

The control section 16 of the running body 1 controls an obstructingoperation of the driving mechanism 12 of the running body 1 according toan obstructing signal received at the light receiving section 15thereof. In addition, the control section 16 of the running body 1controls an acceleration or the like of the running body 1 according toa power-up signal received at the light receiving section 15 thereof.That is, the control section 16 of the running body 1 increases therunning ability of the running body 1 or decreases the running abilityof the running body 2 according to a selected running control signal.Accordingly, the control section 16 functions as a running controlsection and an obstruction control section.

The control section 16 of the running body 1 controls a runningoperation by the driving mechanism 12 thereof according to a runningoperating signal received at the light receiving section 15 thereof.

The control section 16 controls at least one of the forward lightemitting section 13 and the backward light emitting section 14 totransmit an obstructing signal in a case where the light receivingsection 15 receives an instruction signal from the controller 3.Accordingly, the control section 16 functions as a transmission controlsection.

FIG. 8 shows directions in which obstructing signals are transmitted anda range in which the running body 2 can receive the obstructing signals.The control section 16 of the running body 1 controls the forward lightemitting section 13 to transmit an obstructing signal A in the forwarddirection of the running body 1, the obstructing signal A which movesthe running body 2 backward. The range in which obstructing signalstransmitted in the forward direction of the running body 1 can bereceived is from a position of the running body 1 to a position about 40cm forward from the position of the running body 1. The range in whichthe obstructing signals can be received can be appropriately set.

The control section 16 controls the backward light emitting section 14to transmit an obstructing signal B in the backward direction of therunning body 1, the obstructing signal B which spins the running body 2.The range in which obstructing signals transmitted in the backwarddirection of the running body 1 can be received is from a position ofthe running body 1 to a position about 40 cm backward from the positionof the running body 1. The range in which the obstructing signals can bereceived can be appropriately set.

The control section 16 of the running body 1 does not transmit to therunning body 2 a power-up signal C which accelerates the running body 1.When the power-up signal C is received, the output of the motor 12 b ofthe running body 1 is increased. Driving of the motor 12 b is controlledby the control section 16 by using a known pulse width modulation (PWM)control method so that ON/OFF control of the motor 12 b is performedusing pulses. The control section 16 appropriately changes the width ofan ON-pulse. That is to say, the control section 16 modulates the pulsewidth, and accordingly controls energy to be supplied to the motor 12 b.Consequently, by increasing a duty ratio, the control section 16increases the output of the motor 12 b to accelerate the running body 1,and by decreasing the duty ratio, the control section 16 decreases theoutput of the motor 12 b to decelerate the running body 1.

The control section 16 does not transmit to the running body 2 a barriersignal E which invalidates obstructing signals transmitted from therunning body 2 to the running body 1. When the barrier signal E isreceived, the control section 16 sets a flag in the RAM thereof so as toignore the obstructing signals A and B transmitted from the running body2 even when such signals are received. When the barrier signal E isreceived, the control section 16 controls the forward light emittingsection 13 and the backward light emitting section 14 to transmit theobstructing signals A and B in the forward direction and the backwarddirection of the running body 1, respectively.

<Controller>

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the controller 3, and FIG. 10 is a blockdiagram showing a configuration of the controller 3.

As shown in FIG. 9, the controller 3 operates running of the runningbody 1, and instructs obstruction to running of the running body 2.Signals are transmitted by radio between the running body 1 and therunning body 2.

The controller 3 includes a case 30 held by a user, a forward/backwardinput key 31, a right/left input key 32, a light emitting section 33, asignal storing section 34, a signal transmission inputting section 35,display sections 36, a speaker 37, a sound storing section 38, a bandswitching section 39, and a control section 40.

(Case and Input Keys)

The case 30 is formed approximately in a rectangular shape in a planarview, and is formed to have a thickness sufficient to be held by hands.The case 30 includes the following sections and the like.

The forward/backward input key 31 is provided such that an operationpart of the forward/backward input key 31 is exposed from the topsurface of the casing 30. The forward/backward input key 31 is a key forinputting an operation to run the running body 1 forward or backward.Accordingly, the forward/backward input key 31 functions as an inputsection. The running body 1 runs forward when the upper key of theforward/backward input key 31 in FIG. 9 is pressed, and the running body1 runs backward when the lower key thereof is pressed. This can be doneby rotating the motor 12 b in the forward or reverse direction thereofdepending on the pressed key.

The right/left input key 32 is provided so that an operation part of theright/left input key 32 is exposed from the top surface of the case 30.The right/left input key 32 is a key for inputting an operation tochange the running direction of the running body 1 toward the right orthe left. Accordingly, the right/left input key 32 functions as an inputsection. The running body 1 runs in the left direction when the left keyof the right/left input key 32 in FIG. 9 is pressed, and the runningbody 1 runs in the right direction when the right key thereof ispressed. This can be done by driving the steering mechanism 12 e tochange the directions of the right and left front wheels 12 c dependingon the pressed key.

(Light Emitting Section)

The light emitting section 33 is provided on the side surface of thecase 30. The light emitting section 33 is composed of, for example, aninfrared LED. The light emitting section 33 transmits infrared signalsto the running body 1 and the running body 2.

One of the infrared signals transmitted from the light emitting section33 to the running body 1 is a running operating signal according to aninput from the forward/backward key 31 or the right/left input key 32.Accordingly, the light emitting section 33 functions as a runningoperating signal transmitting section.

One of the infrared signals transmitted from the light emitting section33 to the running body 1 is an instruction signal which makes anobstructing signal transmitted from the running body 1 to the runningbody 2. Accordingly, the light emitting section 33 functions as aninstruction signal transmitting section.

In addition, the light emitting section 33 can transmit an obstructingsignal by radio directly from the controller 3 to the running body 2without transmitting an instruction signal to the running body 1, whichdepends on the kind of the obstructing signal transmitted to the runningbody 2. Accordingly, the light emitting section 33 functions as a secondobstructing signal transmitting section. More specifically, the lightemitting section 33 can directly transmit to the running body 2 anobstructing signal D which stops all the functions on running beingactivated by the running body 2.

(Signal Storing Section)

The signal storing section 34 is provided inside the case 30. The signalstoring section 34 stores therein programs to transmit a plurality ofrunning control signals regarding running abilities of the runningbodies 1 and 2. The running control signals include the obstructingsignals A, B, and D, which are different from one another, and whichobstruct running of the running body 2, the power-up signal C whichenhances the running ability of the running body 1, and the barriersignal E which invalidates attacks against the running body 1. Theprograms executed by a central processing unit (CPU) of the controlsection 16 to select and transmit the respective signals are stored inthe signal storing section 34. Accordingly, the signal storing section34 functions as a signal storing section.

More specifically, the signal storing section 34 stores therein programsto transmit the obstructing signal A which moves the running body 2backward as shown in FIG. 11A, the obstructing signal B which spins therunning body 2 as shown in FIG. 11B, and the obstructing signal D whichstops a power-up effect being activated by the running body 2 (e.g., theobstructing signal which decelerates the running body 2 when the runningbody 2 is accelerated) as shown in FIG. 12A.

The signal storing section 34 also stores therein a program to transmitthe power-up signal C which accelerates the running body 1 as shown inFIG. 11C and a program to transmit the barrier signal E whichinvalidates obstructing signals transmitted from the running body 2 tothe running body 1 and to transmit the obstructing signals A and B asshown in FIG. 12B.

(Signal Transmission Inputting Section)

The signal transmission inputting section 35 is provided on the sidesurface of the case 30. The signal transmission inputting section 35 isa press-type switch to instruct transmission of the running controlsignals (the obstructing signals A, B, and D, the power-up signal C, andthe barrier signal E) from the controller 3 to the running body 2 or therunning body 1.

(Display Section)

The display sections 36 are provided on the top surface of the case 30.The display sections 36 are provided for the respective running controlsignals. Each of the display sections 36 includes an LED 36 b arrangedbehind a display window 36 a (shown in FIG. 10) formed on the topsurface of the case 30. Light emitted from each of the LEDs 36 b passesthrough each of the corresponding display windows 36 a, so that a usercan visually recognize the light. Beside each of the display windows 36a, a symbol, an illustration, or the like which explains a function ofthe corresponding running control signal is printed. In the embodiment,the obstructing signal which moves the running body 2 backward isindicated as A, the obstructing signal which spins the running body 2 isindicated as B, the power-up signal which accelerates the running body 1is indicated as C, the obstructing signal which stops all the functionsbeing activated by the running body 2 is indicated as D, and the barriersignal which invalidates obstructing signals transmitted from therunning body 2 to the running body 1 is indicated as E. Accordingly,each of the display sections 36 functions as a display section. The LED36 b corresponding to a selected running control signal emits lightunder the electrification control of the control section 40. Here, for apredetermined period of time after start of selection of a runningcontrol signal, the LEDs 36 b are controlled by the control section 40so as to emit light in turn and one by one, and controlled in such amanner that the LED 36 emitting light stops emitting the light rightbefore its adjacent LED 36 b emits light. Subsequently, only the LED 36b corresponding to a selected running control signal emits light. Inother words, the control section 40 functions as a display controlsection, and consequently, starts to control light emission of the LEDs36 b in such a manner that the LEDs 36 b sequentially emit light whenthe selection of a running control signal starts, and after apredetermined period of time lapses, starts to control light emission ofthe LEDs 36 b in such manner that only the LED 36 b behind the displaywindow 36 a corresponding to a function of a selected running controlsignal emits light. This enables a user to visually recognize that theselection of a running control signal is performed in a roulette manner.

(Speaker and Sound Storing Section)

The speaker 37 is provided inside the case 30. An opening 30 a throughwhich a sound generated by the speaker 37 propagates to outside isformed at a part of the case 30 opposed to the speaker 37.

The sound storing section 38 is provided inside the case 30. The soundstoring section 38 stores therein sound data corresponding to eachrunning control signal so that a different sound is generated from thespeaker 37 according to a running control signal. When the controlsection 40 selects a running control signal and the signal transmissioninputting section 35 instructs transmission of the selected runningcontrol signal, the control section 40 reads sound data corresponding tothe selected running control signal from the sound storing section 38and reproduces the sound data. With this operation, the selected runningcontrol signal can be aurally recognized by a user. Accordingly, thespeaker 37 and the control section 40 function as a sound generatingsection, and the sound storing section 38 functions as a sound storingsection.

Also, the sound storing section 38 stores therein sound data for startsounds (a fanfare and a countdown) of a game and sound data for aroulette sound during the selection of a running control signal.

(Band Switching Section)

The band switching section 39 is provided on the top surface of the case30. The band switching section 39 is configured to be switched to aposition for turning power of the controller 3 off when the controller 3is not in use, a position for turning the power of the controller 3 onand performing a running operation of the running body 1, or a positionfor turning the power of the controller 3 on and performing a runningoperation of the running body 2. That is to say, the band switchingsection 39 functions as a power switch of the controller 3 too. Byswitching the positions of the band switching section 39, the controlsection 40 changes the wavelength of an infrared signal to betransmitted from the light emitting section 33 so as to enable only theselected running body to be operated.

(Control Section)

The control section 40 is provided inside the case 30. The controlsection 40 controls light emission of the light emitting section 33 totransmit a running operating signal for the running body 1 to therunning body 1 when the control section 40 determines that there is aninput from the forward/backward input key 31 or the right/left input key32. The control section 40 controls light emission of the light emittingsection 33 to transmit a running control signal to the running body 1 orthe running body 2 when the control section 40 determines that there isan input from the signal transmission inputting section 35.

The control section 40 is connected to a clock circuit 41 measuring alapse time from the start of running of the running body 1. When thelapse time measured by the clock circuit 41 reaches a predeterminedlapse time, the control section 40 randomly selects a programcorresponding to one running control signal from among a plurality ofkinds of running control signals stored in the signal storing section34. That is to say, the clock circuit 41 provides a trigger for startingthe selection of a program for a running control signal for the controlsection 40. Accordingly, the control section 40 functions as a selectioncontrol section, and the clock circuit 41 functions as a triggerproviding section. That is, in the embodiment, the selection controlsection and the trigger providing section are provided in the controller3.

During the selection of a program, the control section 40 controls theLEDs 36 b of the display sections 36 to sequentially emit light so as tomake a user visually recognize that a running control signal is beingselected in a roulette manner. Also, during the selection of a program,the control section 40 reproduces sound data for a roulette sound storedin the sound storing section 38 and generates its sound through thespeaker 37. The control section 40 also reproduces sound data for afanfare sound stored in the sound storing section 38 and generates itssound through the speaker 37 when a race is about to start. The controlsection 40 further reproduces sound data for a countdown sound, thecountdown which is a countdown to the start of the race, and generatesits sound through the speaker 37, subsequent to the fanfare sound.

The selection of a running control signal by the control section 40 isperformed by generating a random number by a known random numbergeneration program so as to randomly select one running control signal.After the selection, the control section 40 controls the LED 36 b of thedisplay section 36 corresponding to the function of the selected runningcontrol signal to emit light. Accordingly, the control section 40functions as a display control section. In a case where there is noinput from the signal transmission inputting section 35 within apredetermined period of time after the end of the selection of therunning control signal, the control section 40 resets the selectedrunning control signal and re-selects a running control signal.

Further, the control section 40 directly transmits to the running body 2the obstructing signal D which stops all the functions being activatedby the running body 2.

<How to Play with Racing Toy>

Two users competing with each other respectively hold the controllers 3and 4. Each of the users operates the band switching section 39 toselect the running body 1 or 2 which the user operates.

After each of the users selects the running body 1 or 2, the controlsection 40 generates the fanfare sound through the speaker 37 andsubsequently generates the countdown sound.

After a race starts, each of the users operates the forward/backwardinput key 31 and the right/left input key 32 of the controller 3 or 4 tooperate running of the running body 1 or 2.

With regard to each of the controllers 3 and 4, when a predeterminedlapse time is reached by a lapse time measured by the clock circuit 41after the start of the race, the selection of a running control signalby the control section 40 in a roulette manner starts. During theselection, the LEDs 36 b of the display sections 36 sequentially andrepeatedly emit light and stop emitting the light, and eventually, onerunning control signal is selected randomly. Then, the LED 36 b of thedisplay section 36 corresponding to the function of the selected runningcontrol signal emits light.

After a running control signal is selected, the user (here, the userholding the controller 3) presses the signal transmission inputtingsection 35 to allow the light emitting section 33 to transmit to therunning body 1 the selected running control signal which is one of theobstructing signals A and B, the power-up signal C, and the barriersignal E, with an instruction signal therefor as infrared signals. In acase where the obstructing signal D which stops all the functions beingactivated by the running body 2 is selected, the light emitting section33 directly transmits the obstructing signal D to the running body 2.

In the running body 1 which receives the obstructing signal with theinstruction signal, the control section 16 makes the selectedobstructing signal transmitted to the running body 2 from the forwardlight emitting section 13, the backward light emitting section 14, orboth of the light emitting sections 13 and 14 depending on the signal.An instruction signal is not always necessary. An instruction signaldoes not need to be transmitted to the running body 1 when the runningbody 1 is capable of determining the kind of a received obstructingsignal, and transmitting the obstructing signal to the running body 2.

In the running body 2 which receives the obstructing signal A or B, thecontrol section 16 of the running body 2 limits the operation of thedriving mechanism 12 thereof according to the received obstructingsignal so that the running operation of the running body 2 is obstructedby means of backward movement, deceleration, spin, or the like.

The running body 1 which receives the power-up signal C acceleratesitself to enhance the running ability thereof according to the receivedpower-up signal C.

The running body 1 which receives the barrier signal E invalidatesobstructing signals transmitted from the running body 2 and transmitsthe obstructing signals A and B toward the running body 2 in the forwardand backward directions of the running body 1, respectively.

The same can be said for the running body 2. The running bodies 1 and 2compete with each other in order to reach the goal first by transmittingobstructing signals each other and by enhancing their own runningabilities by receiving power-up signals, for example.

Consequently, there is always a possibility that the positions of therunning bodies 1 and 2 are reversed depending on a selected runningcontrol signal. Therefore, users can have a race, enjoying gamesmanshipuntil their running bodies reach the goal.

As described above, in the racing toy 100, the forward light emittingsection 13 and the backward light emitting section 14 provided in therunning body 1 transmit obstructing signals by radio in the forward andbackward directions of the running body 1, respectively, the obstructingsignals which obstruct running of the running body 2. The lightreceiving section 15 provided in the running body 2 receives theobstructing signals, and the control section 16 controls an obstructingoperation of the driving mechanism 12 of the running body 2 based oneach of the received obstructing signals.

Thus, even when the running body 2 is running in front of the runningbody 1 or is approaching the running body 1 from behind, the runningbody 1 can obstruct running of the running body 2. In other words, evenwhen the running body 1 is about to obstruct running of the running body2 which is running behind the running body 1, the running body 1 doesnot need to turn around to merely obstruct the running body 2.

Consequently, according to the racing toy 100, the reality of an actualracing car is not impaired, the play therewith becomes diversified, andthe shortage of fun and excitement is made up. Accordingly, the racingtoy 100 can be enjoyed more for a long time by a user thereof withoutboredom compared with a conventional racing toy.

In addition, when the user performs an input regarding a runningoperation of the running body 1 through the forward/backward input key31 or the right/left input key 32 of the controller 3, the lightemitting section 33 of the controller 3 transmits a running operatingsignal according to the input performed through the forward/backwardinput key 31 or the right/left input key 32 to the running body 1. Atthe time, the control section 16 of the running body 1 controls therunning operation of the driving mechanism 12 of the running body 1based on the running operating signal received at the light receivingsection 15 thereof.

When the light emitting section 33 of the controller 3 transmits to therunning body 1 an instruction signal which makes an obstructing signaltransmitted from the running body 1 to the running body 2, the controlsection 16 of the running body 1 controls the light emitting section 13or 14 to transmit the obstructing signal based on the instruction signalreceived at the light receiving section 15.

Thus, a running operation of the running body 1 and transmission of anobstructing signal to the running body 2 can be performed by operationsof only the controller 3.

The light emitting section 33 of the controller 3 can directly transmitan obstructing signal to the running body 2 too.

Further, when the control section 40 of the controller 3 is triggered tostart the selection of a running control signal by the clock circuit 41which measures a lapse time from the start of running of the runningbody 1, the control section 40 randomly selects one of the runningcontrol signals stored in the signal storing section 34.

Then, the control section 40 of the running body 1 enhances the runningability of the running body 1 or reduces the running ability of therunning body 2 according to the selected running control signal.

Consequently, the running states of the running bodies 1 and 2 can bechanged variously, and the play becomes diversified. Also, since theselection of a running control signal by the control section 40 is notdetermined by a user but in a roulette manner, which uses a randomnumber, by the control section 40 randomly, the user can play whilelooking forward to how the running bodies 1 and 2 run next during therace. Also, by making each of the running bodies 1 and 2 run in adifferent way, the positions thereof can be reversed and re-reversed inthe middle of the race.

Accordingly, the racing toy 100 can make up the shortage of fun andexcitement which a conventional racing toy causes, and can be enjoyedmore for a long time by a user thereof without boredom compared with aconventional racing toy.

The control section 40 of the controller 3 also controls the displaysection 36 to display a function of a selected obstructing signal.

Since the display section 36 displays the function of the selectedobstructing signal in such a manner that a user can visually recognizehow the running bodies 1 and 2 run next, the user can enjoy the racewith alternate hope and fear by looking at the display.

Further, the control section 40 of the controller 3 reproduces sounddata corresponding to a selected obstructing signal and generates asound through the speaker 37.

Since a user can aurally recognize how the running bodies 1 and 2 runnext, the user can enjoy the race with alternate hope and fear bylistening to the sound.

The obstructing signals are signals to move backward, spin, anddecelerate the running body 2, respectively. Accordingly, theobstructing signals can put the running body 1 in a better position thanthe running body 2. Also, the power-up signal is a signal to acceleratethe running body 1, and the barrier signal is a signal to invalidateobstructing signals transmitted from the running body 2 so that therunning of the running body 1 is not obstructed by the running body 2.Accordingly, the power-up signal and the barrier signal can put therunning body 1 in a better position than the running body 2.

Since the control section 40 selects a running control signal andcontrols the running body 1 or 2 according to the selected runningcontrol signal every time a lapse time measured by the clock circuit 41reaches a predetermined lapse time, the running states of the runningbodies 1 and 2 can be changed several times during the race.

<Others>

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and thedesign of the present invention can be changed freely without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For example, obstructing signals may be transmitted not only in theforward and backward directions of the running body 1 but also in theright and left directions thereof.

Although some of the aforementioned obstructing signals are obstructingsignals which are transmitted only in the forward direction or only inthe backward direction of the running body 1, it is not necessary thatthe obstructing signals are transmitted only in one direction, and maybe transmitted in both of the forward and backward directions thereofregardless of the kinds of the obstructing signals. The obstructingsignals in the above embodiments are merely examples, and the functions,the transmission directions, the signal reception ranges, and the likeof the obstructing signals can be appropriately changed.

Also, as shown in FIG. 13, a metallic gate 50 may be provided on acourse 70 on which the race is held, and a proximity sensor whichdetects the gate 50 when the running body 1 approaches the gate 50 maybe provided with the running body 1, and the selection of a runningcontrol signal may be performed by the control section 16 in a roulettemanner every time the running body 1 passes the gate 50. In this case,the control section 16 of the running body 1 is provided with a roulettefunction and makes the selected running control signal transmitted tothe running body 2. Accordingly, the proximity sensor functions as adetecting section to detect the arrival of the running body 1 at apredetermined position. Also, since the running body 1 passing throughthe gate 50 provides a trigger for the selection of a running controlsignal, the gate 50 and the proximity sensor function as the triggerproviding section. That is, in this case, the selection control sectionand the trigger providing section are provided with the running body 1.

The selection control section and the trigger providing section are notnecessarily provided with the controllers 3 and 4 or the running bodies1 and 2 but may be provided with the gate 50 on the course 70, a side ofthe running path of the course 70, or a structure on the course 70 (amodel of a building, for example).

In addition, the duty ratio in the PWM control of the motor 12 b may beincreased by keeping pressing the forward/backward input key 31 from apredetermined timing during the countdown to the start of the race sothat the running body 1 is rapidly accelerated right after starting.With such a configuration, the running body 1 can be put in a betterposition than the running body 2 by using a kind of tricky technique.

Further, when no competing running body is present, a one-person modemay be available by powering the controller 3 on while keeping pressingany key such as the signal transmission inputting section 35. In thiscase, the one-person mode may be informed by a sound through the speaker37, and the race is held in a time attack mode. In the one-person mode,it is preferable to allow only the power-up signal which accelerates therunning body 1 itself to be selected.

The entire disclosure including the specification, claims, drawings, andabstract of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-002619 filed on Jan. 8,2010 is hereby incorporated by reference.

Although various exemplary embodiments have been shown and described,the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.Therefore, the scope of the present invention shall be limited only bythe following claims.

1. A racing toy comprising: a running body including, a drivingmechanism for automatic running, and a running control section toenhance running ability of the running body and to reduce runningability of a competing running body; a signal storing section to store aplurality of running control signals regarding the running ability ofthe running body; and a selection control section to randomly select arunning control signal from among the running control signals stored inthe signal storing section, wherein the running control section enhancesthe running ability of the running body and/or reduces the runningability of the competing running body according to the running controlsignal selected by the selection control section.
 2. The racing toyaccording to claim 1 further comprising: a display section to display afunction of the running control signal selected by the selection controlsection; and a display control section to control the display section todisplay the function of the running control signal selected by theselection control section.
 3. The racing toy according to claim 2comprising a plurality of the display sections, the display sectionsincluding: a plurality of display windows, respectively, each of whichdisplays a function of each of the running control signals; and aplurality of light sources, respectively, each of which emits light,wherein the display windows correspond to the light sources,respectively, so that the light emitted from each of the light sourcespasses through each of the corresponding display windows, and thedisplay control section controls the light sources to emit the light insuch a manner that when the selection control section starts to selectthe running control signal, the light sources sequentially emit thelight, and after a predetermined period of time elapses, only the lightsource emits the light, the light source which corresponds to thedisplay window displaying the function of the selected running controlsignal.
 4. The racing toy according to claim 1 comprising: a pluralityof the running bodies including a first running body and a secondrunning body, wherein the first running body includes, an obstructingsignal transmitting section to transmit an obstructing signal at leastforward and/or backward by radio, the obstructing signal which obstructsthe running ability of the second running body competing with the firstrunning body, and the second running body includes, an obstructingsignal receiving section to receive the obstructing signal, and anobstruction control section to control an obstructing operation of thedriving mechanism of the second running body according to theobstructing signal received at the obstructing signal receiving section.5. The racing toy according to claim 1, wherein the running controlsignals include an obstructing signal which obstructs the runningability of the competing running body.
 6. The racing toy according toclaim 5, wherein the obstructing signal includes a signal which movesthe competing running body backward.
 7. The racing toy according toclaim 5, wherein the obstructing signal includes a signal which spinsthe competing running body.
 8. The racing toy according to claim 5,wherein the obstructing signal includes a signal which decelerates thecompeting running body.
 9. The racing toy according to claim 1, whereinthe running control signals include a signal which accelerates therunning body.
 10. The racing toy according to claim 1, wherein therunning control signals include a signal which invalidates theobstructing signal transmitted from the competing running body.
 11. Theracing toy according to claim 1 further comprising: a trigger providingsection to provide the selection control section with a trigger to startto select the running control signal.
 12. The racing toy according toclaim 11 further comprising: a clock section to measure a lapse timefrom a start of the running ability of the running body, wherein thetrigger providing section provides the selection control section withthe trigger based on the lapse time measured by the clock section. 13.The racing toy according to claim 11 further comprising: a detectingsection to detect arrival of the running body at a predeterminedposition, wherein the trigger providing section provides the triggerbased on the arrival of the running body detected by the detectingsection.
 14. The racing toy according to claim 11 further comprising: acontroller to perform an operation of the running body by using a radiosignal, wherein the selection control section and the trigger providingsection are disposed to the controller.
 15. The racing toy according toclaim 11, wherein the selection control section and the triggerproviding section are disposed to the running body.
 16. The racing toyaccording to claim 11 further comprising: a course on which the runningbody runs, wherein the selection control section and the triggerproviding section are disposed to a side of a running path of the courseor to a structure disposed to the course.